Roland Garros is down to its last Frenchman in the singles draw, and an upset will be required if the host nation wants to have a representative in the semifinals. Richard Gasquet may not have been France’s best hope prior to the tournament, but he has battled his way into a Tuesday showdown with Andy Murray.
Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet will be squaring off for the 11th time in their careers when they clash in the quarterfinals of the French Open on Tuesday. Murray is leading the head-to-head series 7-3, including 2-1 on clay and 4-0 in their last four meetings dating back to a collision at this same tournament in 2012.
What was a burgeoning Grand Slam rivalry between 2008 and 2012 has stalled out of late. Murray and Gasquet faced each other four times at slams–twice at Roland Garros and twice at Wimbledon–in a five-year span, but they have not met in such a situation since the Scot prevailed 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 during fourth-round action in 2012. Murray has recovered from two-set deficits at the Frenchman’s expense on two occasions; 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-4 at the All-England Club in 2008 and 4-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 in the 2010 French Open first round.
Speaking of opening-round scares on the red clay, that is exactly what the world No. 2 endured last week. Veteran qualifier Radek Stepanek surged to a two-set advantage over Murray only to eventually succumb 3-6, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5. Murray struggled though another five-setter in round two–against little-known wild card Mathias Bourgue, whom the favorite overcame 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. A pair of huge servers proved to be just what the doctor ordered for Murray, who raised his level considerably in straight-set defeats of Ivo Karlovic and John Isner.
Surprisingly, Gasquet had never been to the French Open quarters prior to this fortnight. The world No. 12 finally got over the hump in his 13th appearance, and he did so by upsetting Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 on Sunday. That was preceded by straight-setters against Thomaz Bellucci, Bjorn Fratangelo, and Nick Kyrgios. Thus run has really come out of nowhere for Gasquet, whose clay-court preparation was derailed by none other than Nishikori (the Japanese cruised in third-round contests in Madrid and Rome).
But avenging those losses to Nishikori should have Gasquet brimming with confidence heading into this one. Unfortunately for the underdog, the pressure will be ratcheted up for his first-ever quarterfinal at Roland Garros. He handled it well on Sunday, but an even bigger test against an even better opponent could be a problem. Murray’s propensity to take the ball early–especially off the return of serve–will take time away from a player who does not have compact strokes off either the forehand or backhand side. Nishikori had previously managed to execute that tactic but let himself get pushed around in rallies during the most recent contest.
Murray has been improving with each match, and the upswing in form should see him through to an impressive third consecutive French Open semifinal.
Pick: Murray in 4
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Now just consolidate the break, please.
what a point!! great reflexes by both…
Sometimes I don’t know who I’m for until the match actually starts.
Here’s my guess in order as to who I’d like to see win the FO:
1. Berdych (always the bridesmade…)
2. Thiem (would be great to see a young gun make a mark while they are still a young gun)
3.Murray (I like Murray but his celebrations are underwelming.)
4. Goffin, Nole, CB, Gasquet (can’t say for sure because of opening statement)
(not included AVR because he has next to no chances against CB)
Have no way of watching it but the score suggests that Stanimal might be off the leash. And perhaps Ramos has nothing…
And serve out this set.
I’ve seen a few points on twitter! Wish I could be watching this match.
Epic clay ct tennis.
#DrenchOpen
gasquet breaks!! who would have thought he would be able to fight like this…
was hitting his groundies really well that last game…
crowd are into it now..
As Andy would say ***k
what a second serve miss by murray at 30-30
nervrous
In fact he is lucky not to have received a CV. The whole world can lip-read his language.
think he’s been restrained by his standards ed…some swear bombs might help him…
was thinking same
gasquet is playing well but murray’s game is off today…
what is it with the dropshotitis.? don’t think i’ve ever seen so many drop shots as today with both nole and andy.
it’s like watching jerzy…
Andy doesn’t want to win this match.
Jerzy started the trend. Now everyone uses them mostly indiscriminately. Would like to know what the ratio is of points won and points lost as a result.
wow. who is this richard?? full of grit that game. tb.
LOL Muzza broken on both sets serving for the set.
#BetweenTheEars
That all we need – a ruddy tiebreak.
It was boss from Andy.
i knew he was going to df just then!! so tense…
Six straight points on the trot for Muzza to snag the 2nd set.
#NormalcyRestored
set murray.how crucial was that point where the ball sat up on the net on the murray drop shot? changed the whole dynamic of the tb to andy.
how will richard respond now???
What! Gasquet won the first set? I just saw Murray win the second set!
It’s a real match!
I imagine Richie’s had lots of advice on the topic of how to respond. Not sure how I feel right now, lol… sort of want him to win another set, or not.
murray will start scrapping now and psyche richard out. doubt he gets another set…